Batter's Box Interactive Magazine Batter's Box Interactive Magazine Batter's Box Interactive Magazine
There were some bad losses on the farm on Wednesday. Then there were some worse losses. There were no wins. New Hampshire had a 6-1 lead but Shane Dawson was left in too long and the bullpen added some gas to the fire. Casey Lawrence wasn't winning but the Bisons trailed 2-1 and Lawrence stayed in too long and again the bullpen added gas. Lansing's starter Jordan Romano left with a lead but, you guessed it, the bullpen coughed it up. Dunedin were no-hit through seven and ended with two infield hits. The GCL Jays lost the game and first place. Vancouver and Bluefield had routine losses.

Buffalo 3 Gwinett 8

Casey Lawrence started and was pitching well, the game was tied at 1-1 in the sixth inning. Reid Brignac homered in the sixth to make it 2-1. Lawrence went back out for the seventh and after getting the first out he put three men on leading to two runs. The call went out for Ryan Tepera who Brignac took deep for his second homer of the game, a two run shot. The Bisons trailed 6-1 but in the eighth Chris Colabello hit a two run home run. Chad Girodo gave those runs back in the bottom of the eighth.

In the end Lawrence gave up five runs in 6.1 innings. Colabello, Jesus Montero and Dalton Pompey each had two hits.


New Hampshire 7 Portland 10

This was an ugly loss. The Fisher Cats built a 6-1 and then 6-2 lead after six innings. They conceded eight runs over the last three innings. Shane Dawson had allowed three runs through six innings. He went back out for the seventh and loaded the bases with two walks and a single while getting one out. He was pulled in favour of Brady Dragmire. Portland scored four runs before Dragmire could get two outs. New Hampshire tied the game in the eighth thanks to a Jason Leblebijian triple. Dragmire was still pitching in the ninth when former major leaguer Nate Freiman hit a walk-off three run home run.

New Hampshire scored two runs in the first inning and three in the second. In the first Richard Urena a singled, Dwight Smith tripled and Rowdy Tellez added a sac fly. In the second the three runs were aided by two errors, a hit batter and a Derrick Loveless single. The Fisher Cats had eleven hits, Urena, Smith and Leblebijian had two each.


Dunedin 0 Tampa 3

Dunedin were no hit through seven innings, they got one hit in the eighth and one with two outs in the ninth. Both were infield singles.

Justin Shafer pitched six shutout innings, three hits, three walks and three K's. Francisco Rios came out of the bullpen and took the loss, the big hit off him was a triple with a man on and no outs. Rios was charged with two of the runs.


Lansing 1 Dayton 2

Jordan Romano was excellent, six innings, two hits, ten K's. Romano came out for the seventh but was removed for what Jesse GS in Lansing called precautionary reasons. Romano left with a 1-0 lead. Jackson Lowery came on and only got one out in the inning. He walked one and gave up three singles. His defense saved him throwing out runners at third and at home. In the eighth, with Lowery still pitching, two more singles and a walk led to the go-ahead run. Connor Panas singled to start the ninth but the Lugnuts couldn't get him home.

Lansing had just five hits, Justin Atkinson had two hits.


Boise 6 Vancouver 3

Denis Diaz started and couldn't find the plate. He walked six hitters in two plus innings. Just 22 of his 54 pitches were strikes. Add in three hits and we was hit around for five runs. The bullpen was good from there, four relievers held Boise to three hits and one run.

Josh Reavis doubled in a run and added a solo home run. The other run scored with a ground ball. The Canadians outhit the Hawks 10-6. Other than Reavis, Bryan Lizardo and Rodrigo Orozco had two hits.


Pulaski 8 Bluefield 2

This was a one sided affair, the Jays were outhit 10-5 and out-homered 4-0. Joel Espinal gave up four runs, and one homer, in five innings. Andrew Deramo was taken deep three times in two innings for a total of four runs. The only pitcher who didn't give up a run was Kelyn Jose who didn't concede a hit in two innings but did walk three.

Vladdy Jr was involved in both runs. He walked and scored on a wild pitch in the sixth. He doubled in the seventh to drive in Reggie Pruitt who had singled. Nick Sinay had two of the Jays five hits.


GCL Blue Jays 4 GCL Phillies 9

The two best teams in the GCL are in the same division and only one will make the playoffs. The Jays led for most of the season but their form has dropped recently with injuries and promotions and the Phillies had caught up with them. This game put the Jays a game behind. There are only six games left for the Jays but two of those are with the Phillies. In this game the Philly starter, Sixto Sanchez, held the Jays to two hits through six innings. The Jays scored after he left the game. Chavez Young was the hitter who got to Sanchez, twice. The Jays tallied three in the seventh, Kevin Vicuna drove in one and Francisco Rodriguez doubled in two. David Jacob added a ninth inning solo home run.

The twin 17 year old starting tandem was hit around a bit by the Phillies. Josh Winkowski started and gave up three runs on six hits in 3.2 innings. Travis Hosterman was bombed for five runs in two innings.


3 Stars

3rd star: Josh Reavis

2nd star: Justin Shafer

1st star: Jordan Romano


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From Bad to Worse | 23 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
jerjapan - Thursday, August 25 2016 @ 12:00 PM EDT (#329707) #
Man, the rainout was the best result.  Bad night all round.  At least Cola seems to be coming around with the bat.

Gerry and anyone else - is it safe to say that the new org is much more conservative with promotions than the last group?  Plenty of guys I thought we get moved up look to be staying at their level for a full year. 

China fan - Thursday, August 25 2016 @ 12:12 PM EDT (#329709) #
"....At least Cola seems to be coming around with the bat...."

He is hitting .303 over the past 10 games.  That's still nowhere near his eye-popping numbers of April 2015 in Buffalo, which led to his promotion.  Still, with Smoak hitting as badly as he is, Cola might be worth considering as a pinch-hitting option in September when rosters expand.  Although that might cause some heads to explode around here.  Montero could be another option for that September pinch-hitting role.  But with Bautista likely to be at DH for most of the next few weeks, putting Smoak onto the bench, the Jays probably don't need much hitting help on the bench in September, aside from Pompey (pinch-running) and a 3rd catcher, plus maybe a utility guy like Burns or Ceciliani.
Super Bluto - Thursday, August 25 2016 @ 12:26 PM EDT (#329711) #
So who will the useful callups be? (i.e. players who will conceivably used in meaningful situations?

Pompey for sure. A third catcher (Jimenez, I assume).

Do you bring up Brown for a lefty bat? Or do you bring up Tellez for the same?
jerjapan - Thursday, August 25 2016 @ 01:21 PM EDT (#329714) #
I think you are right on Pompey and Jiminez, although they will need a spot on the 40 man - Brady Dragmire?. 

Cecilliani is on the 40 man and bats lefty, so he's my guess.  Brown's been a bust and I can't see them starting the clock on Tellez.  Andy Burns probably.  And one of Montero or Cola - I'd bet Cola. 

The Buffalo pen has struggled of late but I assume they go with 40 man guys.  I'd say Barnes, Tepera and Schultz, with Girodo a longshot given his down year.

But that's 8 guys - too many?

Super Bluto - Thursday, August 25 2016 @ 01:47 PM EDT (#329718) #
What am I missing about Montero? Given their years so far, wouldn't he be a better choice than Colabello?
PeterG - Thursday, August 25 2016 @ 02:08 PM EDT (#329721) #
I agree that Montero would be a better call up than Colabello but it would require a 40 man spot. There is one available atm, so maybe. Calling up a catcher would require another. I think it will be Kratz for now as Gibbons likes him. I would then look to add Jiminez to 40 after season. Dragmire could be DFA but I think Matt Dominguez to be the more likely candidate.
jerjapan - Thursday, August 25 2016 @ 02:10 PM EDT (#329722) #
Bluto, my guess would be Cola just due to his role on the team last year- if the players believe him that he was an unwitting doper, they would likely want him back with the team.  If they don't, different story.

For the season stats, absolutely it's Montero, although he does have a bad character guy rep.  I do think it makes sense that Cola took a while to settle in and find his stroke after an 80 game suspension.

uglyone - Thursday, August 25 2016 @ 02:46 PM EDT (#329726) #
I'd prefer Tellez over both. Just don't play him against lefties.
John Northey - Thursday, August 25 2016 @ 05:13 PM EDT (#329740) #
While I'd love to see Tellez in the majors no way the current administration puts him onto the 40 man roster early if they can avoid it. Cola depends on how the team feels about his suspension (I'd ask the manager and coaches to quietly ask some players and/or ask a friend in the media to push a few players on their viewpoints). If strong opposition to him coming back then not, if strong to him being back then he is back, if 'meh' then might go with Montero instead. I'd like in order Tellez-Montero-Cola, but if I ran the team I'd go Montero as he could be useful next year and you need to see if he can hit ML pitching.

Pompey, Goins should both be locks, plus a few relievers. I'm hoping Barns is up as he looked good in his few chances.
bpoz - Thursday, August 25 2016 @ 06:56 PM EDT (#329743) #
In the GCL 2 teams are playing over .700 ball. The Phillies and B Jays. One of them will not male the playoffs. That is the way the system works.
I am going to cheer on the survivor to the championship.
Shoeless Joe - Thursday, August 25 2016 @ 08:53 PM EDT (#329748) #
Off topic, but Dawel Lugo is having a pretty good year in A+/AA after giving up on him for Cliff Pennington. He has put up a combined line of .308/.337/.492 0.829 OPS.
Shoeless Joe - Thursday, August 25 2016 @ 08:55 PM EDT (#329749) #
Sickens write-up on Lugo:

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2016/8/18/12525488/diamondbacks-prospects-domingo-leyba-and-dawel-lugo-thrive-in-double-a
prospect - Thursday, August 25 2016 @ 09:22 PM EDT (#329753) #
He has improved no doubt from his days here but CAL league is one of the most extreme hitter friendly leagues in all of minor league baseball.
dan gordon - Friday, August 26 2016 @ 12:06 AM EDT (#329765) #
Lugo's home park in A+, Visalia increases offense by about 7%, but his AA home park, in Mobile, decreases offense by about 5%. Looks to me like he's having a good season. Only 21, really developing some power, I'd say he's got a good shot at a big league career.
dan gordon - Friday, August 26 2016 @ 12:42 AM EDT (#329767) #
Quite a game for Bradley Jones, this year's 18th round pick, tonight for Bluefield. He went 4 for 4 with a walk, double, and hit 3 HR's, giving him 15 in just over 200 AB's. He also has 15 SB's. Vlady jr. chipped in with a single, double and triple.
scottt - Friday, August 26 2016 @ 06:33 AM EDT (#329769) #
I agree that Montero would be a better call up than Colabello but it would require a 40 man spot.

The 40-man spot is no issue. If you think Montero is better than Cola, you move Montero into Cola's spot.
There's no need for both guys.
Montero is hitting .318 and could do well against lefties.

Dominguez could also be a possibility, if you want to rest Donaldson's.
85bluejay - Friday, August 26 2016 @ 08:32 AM EDT (#329774) #
It would be hilarious (and a reminder of the unpredictable nature of prospects) if the Diamondbacks end up receiving more career WAR from the Cliff Pennington trade than the Tulo trade.
Mike Green - Friday, August 26 2016 @ 08:38 AM EDT (#329775) #
There's no need to carry on too much about Vladdy Jr., but he really has mastered the Appy League.  I love seeing a positive W/K with power at age 17.  I'm trying to find another somewhat recent player who did that, and not succeeding.  Miguel Cabrera was in Rookie League at age 17 and barely held his own (striking out twice as often as he walked with an IsoP of just under .100).  Robin Yount was in the NYPL at age 17 and put in a somewhat comparable season to Vladdy Jr.'s with a positive W/K and some power (but less than Vladdy Jr's.). Mike Trout was an excellent hitter in Rookie League at age 17- but did it without a great W/K or power thanks to his speed. 
uglyone - Friday, August 26 2016 @ 08:50 AM EDT (#329776) #
plenty of reason to carry on about vladdy. kid looks special.
Mike Green - Friday, August 26 2016 @ 08:54 AM EDT (#329777) #
I know that but it's probably worth the effort to contain our enthusiasm because he's only 17. 
uglyone - Friday, August 26 2016 @ 10:20 AM EDT (#329781) #
that's not my forté!
ramone - Friday, August 26 2016 @ 12:46 PM EDT (#329797) #
I tweeted this earlier today, from Baseball America on Vlad Jr: "Guerrero has shown the bat control, patience and power to project as a potential masher in the middle of a lineup"

Link http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/prospect-hot-sheet-aug-26-jose-de-leon-ready-majors/#2X3S5D4bG0mP1zQI.97
Kasi - Friday, August 26 2016 @ 01:45 PM EDT (#329805) #
Sad to see Tirado third on that list. Think if we send them Benoit they'd send him back?
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